Christ Church of Peace

Quick Link to Our Special Activities ~ Birthdays ~ Special Events

Quick Link to Synopses of Previous & Upcoming Sermons

1240 S McDuff Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32205
ph: 904.387.2020
fax: 904.387.2020
info@christchurchofpeacejacksonville.org

Sermons & Messages

Past Messages

The Battle is Not Yours

Our own Aaron Solomon brought the message, based in part on 2 Chronicles 20:15b. Aaron reminded us that God is always with us, even when we don't see his footprints in the sand.

You Cannot Afford NOT to Love

Unity pastor Rev. Joanne Dator joined us this week for a special Quiet Time meditation and a sermon based in part on John 15:12.

Make Me a Servant

Christ Church of Peace hosted a special joint service with St. Anthony's National Catholic Church, and Rev. Marsha Brandt provided Holy Communion and a homily for both congregations. Our choir, the CCOP Singers also performed "Holy Ground."

Eagles' Nest

Rev. Don Ashmall, Council Minister for the International Council of Community Churches (ICCC) is in Florida for the Stetson Pastors' Conferenceand presented the message at Christ Church of Peace this week. Rev. Ashmall has been instrumental in helping community churches with their planning and search for pastoral leadership efforts, and is a pastor to the pastors of the ICCC.

Rev. Ashmallpresented a sermon titled "Eagles' Nest," based on scriptural text fromIsaiah 40: 28-31. He reminded us that even when we feel like turkeys, God intends for us to soar like eagles.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. God does not faint or grow weary; Gods understanding is unsearchable. God gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

We also welcomed for her first performance at Christ Church of Peace original contemporary Christian musician Charlotte A. Martin, a member of Riverside United Church of Christ, who writes and performs her own music. Charlotte plays guitar, drums and keyboards in addition to her other talents. Charlotte, her partner and her music are a blessing to her home church, and we thank them for sharing the blessings with us this week.

Commitments

Ray Taylor presented four challenges in his message this week, based in part on Phillipians 3:13-14. Do you remember these challenges in your new year's resolutions? Tim Edwards returned for a violin & piano duet with our own Michael Feltman.

The Church Triumphant

Rev. Dr. Harvey Carr presents the message this week, based in part on Matthew 16:13-18.

Great Expectations

Michael Schumpert presents the message this week.

Our Adequacy Comes from God

Jaime Concepcion presents the message this week, which is based in part on (2 Corinthians 3:4-6, 12-18 NASB) and will depart from the premise:

"I'll use my energy never to belittle, but to uplift. Never to devastate, but to rebuild. Never to misguide, but to light the way, so that all of us can stand on higher ground."
.

Christmas Morning: A Celebration of Carols & Lessons

Join us on Christmas morning for a special service of Carols & Lessons celebrating the birth of our Savior with a short devotional by our own Sandy Brooks.

In Search of... The God of Peace

Marvin Deaton presents a message of PEACE on this fourth Sunday of Advent, based in part on Luke 1:76-79.

Joy on My Mind

Brenda Howard presents a message of JOY on this third Sunday of Advent, based in part on scripture from Luke 2:1-11.

Let Love Guide Your Life

Michael Schumpert presents a message of LOVE on this second Sunday of Advent, based in part on scripture from Colossians 3:12-15.

The Light of the Advent

In addition to being our Moderator, Song Leader, HIV Testing Coordinator, and Computer Whiz, our own Ora Ball will present a message of HOPE on this first Sunday of Advent based on scripture from Isaiah 64:1-9.

The Luck of Life

Our good friend, guest speaker, and preacher this Sunday is the Rev. Dr. Harvey Carr. Dr. Carr's message is based on Romans 8:28.

Nobody is NOBODY

Our good friend Pastor Bruce Merton, who is Vice President of the International Council of Community Churches (ICCC) and Senior Pastor of Peace Community Church of Fort Myers, FL brings us a message based in part on Mark 10:46-52.

Foreign gods among You

Who -- or what do we really worship, you and I? Sure, we say that we worship the LORD and the one -- or only (echad in Hebrew) -- God of Israel. Yet, when push comes to shove, do we continue to hold onto "foreign gods" that we're unwilling to give up? This message is based, in part, on Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 (ESV).

Live Like You're Dying

Brother Aaron Solomon will share a message based on I Thessalonians 5:1-6 (NIV).

Superstar

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. This inspired message, given by guest preacher Jaime Concepcion, is based on Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB).

With Full Conviction

Hurt by bigotry, judgmentalism, and rejection from much of the religious establishment, too many LGBT people have turned away from the church and, in the process, from the God that truly loves them. It's up to "goodwill ambassadors" of Christ from welcoming and inclusive churches like ours to share the good news compassionately -- through word and deed -- with our brothers and sisters. This message is based, in part, on First Thessalonians 1:1-10..

What Will You Wear to the Wedding?

In one of his well-known parables, Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a marriage feast. But none of the invited choose to come. So the king extends an invitation to everyone -- good and bad alike -- to participate. But when the king mingles with those in the reception hall, he notices that one of the guests isn't wearing a wedding garment and casts him outside. We've been invited to the wedding, too. So, what will you be wearing? This message is based, in part, on Matthew 22:1-14.

Let GOD Not Speak to Us!

God is still speaking to us, but sometimes we would rather not listen or heed what the Almighty is saying. Why not? Because we're afraid! Of what? We just might die ... to ourselves and our self-centered ways. And then what would happen? This message is based, in part, on Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, and 12-20.

Drama: Making the Invisible GOD Visible

Sharing our cares and concerns as we touch one another's lives has been what Christ Church of Peace has been about since its inception. "It's all about how we perform on this earthly stage," shares guest preacher Ray Taylor. "Our obligation is to make God seen through us." Ray's message is based, in part, on II Corinthians 5:20.

Sermon Series:

The Heart of Christianity

In July 2012, Pastor Bruce began amulti-part series of messages entitled "The Heart of Christianity" based on the book of the same title by Rev. Marcus J. Borg. The book and Sunday service messages focused on rediscovering a life of faith and examining how we can be passionate believers today.

The Bible: A Heart Full of Traditions

Christianity pivots on the Bible ... more importantly, on the God of the Bible. So, how do Christians relate to the Bible: As sacred scriptures or a sacred story? As the literal, inerrant Word of God? Is the Bible a divine product or, perhaps, a more personal testament that's historical, metaphorical, and sacramental ... chronicling how the Israelites and early Christian communities believed that God interacted with them? This message is inspired, in part, by Psalm 119:105-112 (NIV).

Faith: The Way of the Heart

Many people take it for granted that Christian faith means believing a given set of standards and expectations to be unquestionably true. Yet, as modeled by Jesus, real Christianity is more about an approach to life, a way of living, a path to take through our days here on earth. Since faith is at the heart of most religions, we must ask: Is our Christian faith a matter of the head or of the heart? This message is based, in part, on Matthew 22:34-40.

GOD: The Heart of Reality

At the heart of Christianity is GOD. Without a robust affirmation of the reality of God, Christianity makes no sense, writes theologian Marcus J. Borg in The Heart of Christianity. Just as importantly, however, is how we see God: how we think of God, of Gods relationship to the world, and of Gods character. So, what do we think about God? Are our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings the same or do they differ? This message is based, in part on Exodus 3:13-15 and John 3:16-17.

Jesus: The Heart of GOD

One of the defining characteristics of Christianity is the centrality of Jesus ... that God is revealed to us primarily in a person, an affirmation unique among the worlds major religions. The significance of Jesus, God, and the Bible are essential and inextricably interwoven in the Christian faith. We know about the God of Israel and the figure of Jesus primarily through the Bible. And we know about God about Gods character and passion most decisively through Jesus. Today's message is based, in part, on Isaiah 53:1-6 and John 8:54-58.

A New Heart: Born Again!

Depending on our faith tradition, some of us have experienced "altar calls" where we repented of our sins, invited Jesus to take charge of our lives, and were "born again" of the Spirit into the Kingdom of God. What does it mean to be born again, a concept critically important to fundamentalists and evangelicals ... as well as to all Christians? Is there a "one-size-fits-all" definition or a monopoly on born again language and beliefs? Our message is based, in part, on the Gospel of John 3:1-10.

The Kingdom of GOD: The Heart of Justice

Social and political transformation are at the center of the biblical vision of our life with GOD. Protesting the nightmare of social injustice, the Bible's central voices passionately proclaim a dream of justice for all creation in the Kingdom of GOD. This message is based, in part, on Matthew 25:31-40.

"Thin Places"... Opening the Heart

The heart is a biblical image for the "self" at its deepest level--deeper than our perception, intellect, emotion, and volition. As our spiritual center, the heart affects how we see, think, feel, and will do. The importance of an open heart for God and the dangers of a closed one cannot be overstated. That's why being in touch with the "thin places" of our lives is so important. "Thin places," says theologian Marcus J. Borg, "are places where the veil momentarily lifts and we behold God, experience the One in whom we live, all around us and within us." This message is inspired, in part, by Psalm 51:10-17.

Yet I Will Rejoice in the LORD

The words oflittle known, "minor" prophet Habakkuk comprise just a few chapters in the Old Testament. Yet, though the book of Habakkuk is short, it has a major mesage indeed for us. Guest speaker Jim Moody talks about Habakkuk, focusing on 3:17-18.

Love One Another

Our good friend the Rev. Dr. Harvey Carr returns to CCOP to share a special message that's long been on his heart. Based on Matthew 22:34-40 and John 14:15, 21a & 24a, Rev. Carr will read from the Scriptures as he, literally, translates them from the Greek ... an opportunity, he says, he's been denied until now!

666: An Image of Faith
What is the meaning of "666" in the Book of Revelation? In fact, what does the Book of Revelation really mean? This is the most confusing book of prophecy ... and the most revealing book considered a "tell-all" story, says CCOP's own Richard Lee Williams. Richard shares his personal understanding of 666 and how it relates to other images intertwined throughout the Bible, reminding us tha the Scriptures say, "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it,; for the time is near" (Rev 1:3).

A New Dispensation

What's going on in the church today? Not only have Episcopalians, Lutherans,
Presbyterians, and Methodists made major strides toward inclusion rather than exclusion ... but even some evangelicals are realizing that "real Christians" are known by their love, not their condemnation. How emerging theology differs from earlier beliefs is the focus of this message based on John 13:34-35.

When One of Us Is Not Free, None of Us Are Free

It's always special when our own brother Marvin Deaton shares biblical insights with us. His message is based on Galatians 5:1-6 (NIV).

Building a Fabulous Father

In some shape or form, we're all builders. Probably the greatest building we do isn't our skyscrapers and artifacts, but the people we help to "build." It might be our children, grandchildren, godchildren -- or someone else's young people and adults -- but we all contribute to their building. For Father's Day, let's consider a few thoughts about building a better father. Our lesson is based upon the beloved Prodigal Son parable found in Luke 15:11-31 (NIV).

No, That's Not in the Bible!

Our behavior is often judged - commended, condemned or condoned - because, "The Bible says so." But, how many words of wisdom and ethical dictates do we attribute to the Scriptures ... that just aren't there? And what difference does it make, anyway? This message is based on Proverbs 7:1-5 (NIV).

You Have God's Approval!

For LGBT people of faith, especially, it's easy to relate to Peter's words that,"... if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God's approval."Much more challenging, though, is to learn fromthe Lord's example and follow in his steps! Today's message is based on I Peter 2:19-25.

Spiritual Warfare

Brother Rob brought us a message based in part on Ephesians 6:10-20. Heres what one congregant had to say:

On May 29th @CCOP, Rob delivered a sermon that I believe should have been entitled, "Touching points". Last week, we had an intro to speaking the Word of God. Today, we had a speaker who taught touching the points of keeping the armour of God in our lives so that we can grow and help others. But helping others, as Rob put it, "is as diverse as God has placed within us". Some can feed, some may cook, some may have that specialty with place setting; but all have a gift, use it to encourage others in Christ Jesus. See ya next Sunday! Amen!

Don't forget this Memorial Day Weekend to THANK and HONOR those who havegone before us.

Blessed Beyond Belief

Christ Church of Peace welcomes our own sister Brenda back as guest preacher on Sunday, May 22nd. Brenda will share a message based on Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJ), that she prays will "bless you exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond anything you think or ask."

God Helps Those Who Help Others

There are those who say that Scripture separates our faith and beliefs from the world and its politics. Others seem to favor their own theocracies based on a proof-text theology that rips Bible verses out of context. With elections this week, what would Jesus teach about our role and responsibilities in terms of the local political process? This message is based, in part, on James 2:1-17.

The Mother of All Messages

We're so used to male imagery in the Bible -- seeing, especially, God as the Father and the Son -- that we can lose sight of the godly role and female nature of the One whom we worship. Today's special Mother's Day message, based on John 19:16-27, honors all the women who have nurtured and blessed us.

Girls Will Be Boys and Boys Will Be Girls

Despite what some "literalists" may insist, neither the Bible nor Jesus says anything about transgender people ... our brothers and sisters who cannot reconcile their external biology with their internal identity. Nevertheless, there are at least a few godly words of love and comfort that transgender people can claim and take comfort as their own. Our message begins with Genesis 1:26-27, and includes other Scriptures, as well.

Literally or Figuratively?

Some scholars, even faithful Christians, debate whether the resurrectionactually took place. Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Or was it, perhaps, part of a "plot" that had been planned? Maybe it's the life and death of Jesus that are what ultimately matter, say some ... while others insist that Jesus literally rose from the dead, just as the Bible tells us. Is our faith strengthened and/or compromised when we consider that the Lord who we worship may have risen in ways beyond those traditionally expected? This Easter message is based on John 20:1-10.

Feed My Sheep

Three times post-Easter Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" And Peter, a bit perplexed if not anxious by the Lord's persistence, replies: "You know that I do." Jesus tells him to demonstrate his love for the Lord by feeding his sheep and caring for his lambs. How do we respond -- here and now -- to the Lord's commandment and this part of the Great Commission? We begin by examining John 21:15-17.

How Should We Pray?

For some folks, praying is easy: as natural as shedding tears or sharing laughter. For others, however, engaging in prayer is more difficult ... challenging ... and, perhaps, even a bit burdensome or daunting. What is "prayer," after all, and how can we feel more comfortable communicating with God ... even if we're doing it "our way?" Today's message is based, in part on Matthew 6:5-15.

Upcoming Messages

Sunday, February 25th ...

Discipleship: Taking Up a Cross and a Shovel